"Danny had returned with a vengeance and it was very obvious how much we had been missing him.

"It is heart-breaking, both for Reading and for Danny, that after such a short comeback, he is now out for the remainder of the season.

"Danny is not replaceable, but we are doing our very best to fill the gap.

"It is now very late in the season and with so many riders involved in play-off semis and finals in other leagues it is not an easy task."

X-rays at the hospital in Exeter have revealed that Bird suffered a cracked knee and a dislocated elbow and shoulder. He also broke his nose.

Thankfully the dislocations have been put back in successfully, but the arm has been put in a cast and at the moment the injury is quite painful.

The damaged knee has been put in a brace, where it will remain for six weeks.

Bird is now back at his Guildford home after being released from hospital yesterday.

Said Bliss: "We wish Danny all the best and look forward to seeing him at Smallmead before the end of the season and of course again next March."

The Ideal Video Racers will cover for his absence by using rider replacement in their Premier League match at Newport on Sunday.

Guest riders will replace Andrew Appleton and Matt Tresarrieu, who are both involved in the world longtrack championship in southern France which will not finish until the early hours of Sunday morning.

Isle of Wight's Steen Jensen is the likely replacement for Appleton.

"It is simply impossible to get back from there in time for a 2.30 start at Newport," said Appleton.

But Chris Johnson is set to return from injury.

When he broke his wrist on August 8 he was told he would probably be sidelined for six weeks.

But his wrist is healing quickly and he is determined to ride at Newport on Sunday.

"I plan to get in some practice before the weekend, but I think I will be okay," said Racers' teenage reserve.

"I also want to ride in the British Under-18 Championship at Wolverhampton on Monday as this will be my last chance."

This will, of course, force him to miss Reading's KO Cup semi-final first leg against Rye House on the same night.

A collection on behalf of Bird, Simota and Tressarieu, who are both also in need of assistance after suffering mechanical problems and blown engines in the past week, is to be made on Monday.

Fans wishing to send cards or best wishes to Bird are asked to either send them to the stadium at Smallmead, or drop them into the track shop on Monday.